The Internet of Things (IoT) is set to create the true interconnectivity of all devices and thereby benefit all manner of industries and expedite the development of Australia’s smart cities.

To accelerate the development of such IoT innovations, Position Partners and Thinxtra have agreed to combine their respective Sigfox and AllDayRTK network infrastructure to enable low cost access to high precision positioning and communications services.

Thinxtra is rolling out the first nationwide IoT network in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, based on Sigfox LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) technology.  The network claims to already cover 70% of Australian population and is well on track to cover 95% of the Australia and New Zealand population by end of 2017. In collaborating with Position Partners, this will effectively unlock the spatial potential of such sensor networks.

For councils, IoT deployment will reduce pollution through smart parking and bin collection, whilst lowering the country’s carbon footprint with smart energy consumption. In agriculture, IoT can assist to reduce fertiliser use with better crop and water management, as well as monitor livestock accurately and efficiently. Asset tracking, smart monitoring and predictive maintenance will keep Australia’s industry competitive and productive. In healthcare, wearable GPS and fall detection systems will assist to monitor and proactively support the community.

Sigfox-enabled devices are up to 10 times cheaper than cellular models, 300 times more energy efficient and can transfer data between devices at long range, up to 50 kilometres apart.

Position Partners operates a national Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) network, AllDayRTK, which consists of hundreds of high precision base stations that deliver millimetre-level precision for surveying, construction and agriculture applications.

“We are delighted that Position Partners shares our vision and passion for helping to make Australia more innovative,” said Renald Gallis, Thinxtra Vice President Ecosystem and Marketing.

“The success of connecting millions of devices that don’t have much to say relies on low cost infrastructure, low cost devices and low cost connectivity, which this partnership helps to enable,” he added.